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Just In: Turner Burner 650b Frame

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Turner Burner 650b 27.5 DW Link Frame (1)

The Turners Burner is more than just the latest in a sea of 650b. As the first production bike for Dave Turner, the Burner name has roots as deep as modern full suspension rigs. Over time, the Burner evolved along with Turner itselft to the DW-Link equipped, 650b sized trail blazer shown here. Still aluminum, still made in the USA, the current Burner is made my Zen Fabrications in Portland, OR to the same exacting specifications of all Turners before it. After a few prototypes, specifications on the Burner are finalized, and the production bike is here.

See why Turner is in the details after the break.

Turner Burner 650b 27.5 DW Link Frame (3) Turner Burner 650b 27.5 DW Link Frame (2)

No question about it – Turner aluminum means made in the USA. Laser etching on the back of the 30.9 seat tube confirms it. Up front a 44mm head tube allows for tapered or straight steerers. To run a tapered fork you will need a ZS44/28.6|EC44/40 (1-1/8″ ZeroStack to 1.5″ Traditional Tapered Standard) headset. Also known as a 44XX lower and Zero Stack upper.

Turner Burner 650b 27.5 DW Link Frame (10)

Built on the DW-Link suspension design, the Burner like other Turners has beautifully machined suspension links. Our test bike is fitted with a Fox Float CTD shock that is custom tuned for the frame with a very low compression and rebound tune. The Burner has 140mm of rear travel which is best matched with a 150mm fork, though it can run 140-160mm.

Turner Burner 650b 27.5 DW Link Frame (5)

No ISCG adapters needed – the mounts are built right into the frame around the threaded bottom bracket shell. Metal.

Turner Burner 650b 27.5 DW Link Frame (4) Turner Burner 650b 27.5 DW Link Frame (8)

Turners have a reputation for being super durable – especially the pivots. Turner uses journal bearings (or bushings) as they claim they are better suited to the high loads and small movement of suspension pivots than bearings. Turners pivots use a hard anodized aluminum pivot shaft with Kevlar composite bearings that are all able to be lubricated through the Zerks fittings built into each pivot. The journal bearing system is lighter than bearings and since it is proprietary to the frame, they are designed to use the entire width of the pivot adding to the torsional stiffness of the back end of the bike.

Turner sells a grease gun on their website with Super Lube synthetic grease for the pivots, though any bent tip grease gun can be used. Turner says to inject just enough grease to pressurize the system, but never to purge the sytem. Ever. All of the small parts are available on the webstore as well, so if you lose the small Zerks plug, they have you covered.

Turner Burner 650b 27.5 DW Link Frame (6)

Turner Burner Post Mounts

Keeping the rear wheel in place is a DT Swiss 142×12 Axle that threads into the replaceable derailleur hanger. The hanger is also held into the frame with a T30 Torx bolt which combined with the one piece swingarm results in a very stiff interface. Turner was one of the first to push the post mount rear brake standard since it eliminates the additional adapter and bolts. Adding the replaceable threaded barrels (held in place here with tape) means if you screw up the threads, you don’t screw up your frame.

Turner Burner Cable guides Turner Burner 650b 27.5 DW Link Frame (9)

A lot of attention has been paid to the cable routing on the Burner like all of their bikes. No zip ties here – every point along the frame has a threaded clamp for cables and even a port in the swing arm upright for the rear derailleur cable to pass through.

Turner Burner 650b 27.5 DW Link Frame (7)

With all of the hardware and rear axle, our medium anodized Burner frame comes in at 6.97 lbs (3162g). Not carbon light, but still should be able to be built up pretty light.

Burner Geometry

Early prototypes had a lower BB, while production versions are set at 13.25″. A 67° head angle is achieved with a 150mm fork, which sets the seat tube angle at 73. Stay tuned for the rest of the build coming soon!

 

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14 Comments
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Mindless
Mindless
10 years ago

Why people are all ga-ga over carbon fiber frames? Yeah, pound or two lighter. Better get a better wheelset and fork for the price difference.

NCMTB
NCMTB
10 years ago

@ Mindless

I totally agree. Rotating weight is where the fun is and where spending your dollars makes a difference you can feel. I would much rather have an aluminum frame with XT/XTR and a sick set of i9s over a carbon frame with SLX and med range set of wheels.

Steve M
Steve M
10 years ago

The holes for the brake screws on the rear dropout are….. there or not?

BC
BC
10 years ago

Rear brake mount is post mount. There is tape over the top holes holding the insert into place.

Chunky
Chunky
10 years ago

Yeah they are, they have masking tape over them to hold the removable thread widget things

carbonorgohome
carbonorgohome
10 years ago

carbon 5 lbs, old school alum 7 lbs….its the 21st century for crying out loud. Carbon or go home.

carbonorgohome
carbonorgohome
10 years ago

lets get real. Carbon frame would be 2 lbs lighter; nothing to laugh at when your building up your dream bike. its the 21st century. go carbon or go home

Bayard
Bayard
10 years ago

H8rs gonnna rude carbon

g
g
10 years ago

[deleted]

In other news, this new Burner is so sick!

Awing
Awing
10 years ago

I got one of these guys in April. Suuuuuper duper fun bike, solid on everything. Best do-it-all bike I have ever ridden! Couldn’t be happier with the quality of the ride and the quality of the frame.

K11
K11
10 years ago

Been waiting for usa built alum 650 to replace my 26inch usa made santa cruz blur. This looks perfect, just add some 650 enve wheels. want.

rob
rob
10 years ago

I acquired my Burner this past February, and have loved every minute that I’ve gotten to ride it. This bike just rips on descents, but I don’t fall off the back when it’s time to climb. My previous ride was a 26″ single-speed, and the habit of standing and grunting up climbs has been long ingrained, so I was heartened when the Burner handled those same efforts with minimal bobbing. That said, I am getting used to the notion of a shifty drivetrain, so my climbing efforts are getting easier yet.

horpsloth
horpsloth
10 years ago

i refuse to ride carbon. i have been hurt a few times due to carbon failures.

im going to pass. all alminum of im not interested.

jan
jan
10 years ago

Horpsloth, this is not carbon but alu…

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